Rockin' at IPPE

US - At the EuroTier exhibition in Germany last November, we were pleased to show for the first time the new ROCK Control System. At the IPPE in Atlanta on January 31- February 2 we will once again Rock On!

Now working for close to a year on testing, but even more recently expanding with additional units due to the great results, ROCK is here to stay. Besides the new front panel design, ROCK is an innovation in control technology built on a platform designed to grow in the future.

What makes it unique is that ROCK senses the temperature of the air as it returns to the fan. This temperature represents that of the egg mass. The setter temperature can then be set to maintain a constant differential so that the egg temperatures can remain stable. Rather than judge and determine set points by reading a few eggs in a specific location, ROCK gets its feedback from all the eggs in the setter, or chicks in the hatcher. It builds on uniformity that is central to the design of the Avida setter with even airflow passing through one trolley of eggs from fan to wall. It is possible to use 20-step stage programs for those that want to have that feature.

The way the temperatures are kept more consistent is also through a variable speed sensor in the fan that automatically adjusts the fan movement, keeping the temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels under control. The modulating cooling valves regulate with the correct flow of water to precisely manage cooling rather than overdo do it by being 100% open or closed.

These new valves are self-adjusting using PID control to ensure the cooling arrives smoothly for the right temperature. This will reduce energy, water consumption, and give a superior quality chick. The controls themselves are all mounted in the center panel making it more accessible to maintain. All the PLC's are built into the touch screen making it a more compact package.

There are already several new hatcheries committed to the ROCK that will be installed in 2017.